Andaman and Nicobar Islands

The name Andaman might have been derived from Handuman, after the Indian God Hanuman from the Hindu epic Ramayana.{{cite web |url=https://southandaman.nic.in/history/ |title=History of South Andaman |publisher=Government of India |access-date=1 December 2023}} The place was called with a similar name by the Malays, who used to be involved in slave trade in the region.{{cite web |url=https://northmiddle.andaman.nic.in/history/ |title=History of North Andaman |publisher=Government of India |access-date=1 December 2023}} The place was also referred by various names such as Angademan by Ptolemy in the 2nd century CE and Angamanian by Marco Polo in 13th century CE. Nicobar, which was located in the sea route connecting South India to South East Asia, was known as Nakkavaram, meaning "open/naked land" borrowed from Tamil language which later became Nicobar.{{cite web |url=http://db.and.nic.in/nicobars/Profile/GeoFeat.php |title=History of Nicobar |publisher=Government of India |access-date=1 December 2023}} In the middle ages (500-1500 AD), Nicobar was known as Lankhabatus in Arabia, probably a mis-transcription of the name Nakkavaram. An 11th-century CE work Kathasaritsagar indicates the name as Narikel Dweep. Marco Polo termed the island as Necuverann, while the islands were known as Lo-Jan Kuo in China, a translation of Nakkavar with the same meaning.

{{Main|History of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands}}

Genetic and cultural studies suggest that the indigenous Andamanese people may have been isolated from other populations during the Middle Paleolithic era, which ended 30,000 years ago.{{cite journal |last1=Palanichamy |first1=Malliya G. |first2=Suraksha |last2=Agrawal |first3=Yong-Gang |last3=Yao |first4=Qing-Peng |last4=Kong |first5=Chang |last5=Sun |first6=Faisal |last6=Khan |first7=Tapas Kumar |last7=Chaudhuri |first8=Ya-Ping |last8=Zhang |year=2006 |title=Comment on 'Reconstructing the Origin of Andaman Islanders' |journal=Science |volume=311 |issue=5760 |pages=470 |doi=10.1126/science.1120176 |pmid=16439647 |doi-access=free}} Archeological evidence obtained from middens have been dated the earliest civilisations back to 200-300 BCE.{{cite journal |url=https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/5105366.pdf |title=The Salient Features of Site Location in the Andaman Islands, Indian Ocean |first=Zarine |last=Cooper |journal=Asian Perspectives |volume=36 |year=1996 |page=222 |access-date=1 December 2023}} The islands have been mentioned by Ptolemy in the 2nd century CE.

File:Chola Empire map2.png used the islands as a naval base in 11th century CE to launch attacks in South East Asia]]

The Nicobar islands existed on a major trade route connecting India to the South East Asia and had much contact with the outside world for centuries. But there are very few accounts of information as there was no written language with the indigenous people to document their history. The islands have been mentioned in the accounts of travellers like Faxian in the 6th century CE and I-T'sing in 7th century CE.

In the 11th century CE, Rajendra Chola I of the Chola dynasty of Tamilakam invaded parts of South East Asia using the Nicobar islands as an intermediate naval base.{{cite book |last=Hultzsch |first=E. |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.79603/page/n115/mode/2up?view=theater |title=South Indian Inscriptions: Tamil Inscriptions of Rajaraja, Rajendra Chola and Others in the Rajarajesvara Temple at Tanjavur |publisher=Superintendent, Government Press |year=1991 |volume=2 |location=Chennai |pages=109 |language=Tamil |chapter=Inscriptions on the walls of the central shrine |author-link=E. Hultzsch |access-date=21 September 2022 |issue=1}}{{cite book |last=Nilakanta Sastri |first=K. A. |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.4293/page/n229/mode/2up?view=theater |title=The Cholas |publisher=G. S. Press |year=1955 |edition=2nd |location=Chennai |pages=211–213 |chapter=Rajendra- (A.D. 1012-1044) |author-link=K. A. Nilakanta Sastri}} It was part of an established Chola trade route connecting India and South East Asia, with the practice continuing in the subsequent years during the reigns of Rajendra II and Kulothunga I.{{cite book |title=Between 2 Oceans (2nd Edn): A Military History of Singapore from 1275 to 1971 |first=Malcolm H. |last=Murfett |page=16}}{{cite book |title=Asia: A Concise History |first=Arthur |last=Cotterell |page=190}} Chola inscriptions from Thanjavur, dated to 1050 CE, describe the islands as Ma-Nakkavaram meaning "great open/naked land" in Tamil.{{cite book |publisher=Government of India |year=1908 |title=The Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Local Gazetteer |page=57}}{{cite journal |last=Cœdès |first=George |author-link=George Cœdès |date=1918 |title=Le Royaume De Srivijaya |trans-title=The Kingdom of Srivijaya |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/43729861 |journal=Bulletin de l'École Française d'Extrême-Orient |language=French |volume=18 |issue=6 |pages=6 |doi=10.3406/befeo.1918.5894 |jstor=43729861 |url-access=registration |access-date=21 September 2022 |archive-date=20 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920195311/https://www.jstor.org/stable/43729861 |url-status=live}} The islands are later mentioned by Marco Polo in the 13th century CE and Friar Oderic in early 14th century CE.{{Cite book |last1=Yule |first1=Henry |title=Hobson-Jobson: A Glossary of Colloquial Anglo-Indian Words and Phrases, and of Kindred Terms, Etymological, Historical, Geographical and Discursive |title-link=Hobson-Jobson |last2=Burnell |first2=Arthur Coke |publisher=J. Murray |year=1903 |volume=1 |location=London |pages=624–625 |chapter=Nicobar Islands |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PQYYAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA624 |access-date=18 March 2023 |archive-date=26 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326164807/https://books.google.com/books?id=PQYYAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA624 |url-status=live}}

File:Andaman tribals fishing (c. 1870).jpg fishing ({{circa|1870}})]]

The European colonisation on the islands began when settlers from the Danish East India Company arrived on the Nicobar Islands on 12 December 1755.{{cite book |author1=Danish National Archives |author2=C. Rise Hansen |title=Sources of the History of North Africa, Asia and Oceania in Denmark |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EL77Dk9jyaQC&pg=PA19 |date=18 October 2011 |publisher=Walter de Gruyter |isbn=978-3-11-097036-4 |pages=19}} On 1 January 1756, the Nicobar Islands were made into a Danish colony, first named Nye Danmark (New Denmark) and later Frederiksøerne (Frederick's Islands).{{cite book |title=Letters on the Nicobar islands, their natural productions, and the manners, customs, and superstitions of the natives with an account of an attempt made by the Church of the United Brethren, to convert them to Christianity |url=https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/26781 |first=John Gottfried |last=Haensel |editor=Christian Ignatius Latrobe |year=1812 |access-date=19 May 2021 |archive-date=19 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519045816/https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/26781 |url-status=live}} The islands were managed from the Danish colony of Tranquebar in the Indian mainland. However, various attempts to settle on the islands were unsuccessful due to repeated outbreaks of malaria, which led to the death of the colonists.{{cite book |title=Indigenous Peoples: An Encyclopedia of Culture, History, and Threats to Survival |first=Victoria R. |last=Williams |year=2020 |isbn=979-8-216-10219-9 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing}}

File:Cellular jail or kaalaapani.jpg constructed during the British Raj]]

Between 1778 and 1783, William Bolts tried to establish an Austrian colony on the Nicobar islands, mistakenly assuming that the Danish had abandoned the claims to the islands, renaming them Theresa Islands.{{cite book |url=https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/38462 |title=Narrative of the Circumnavigation of the Globe by the Austrian Frigate Novara |volume=II |first=Karl Ritter |last=von Scherzer |page=63 |access-date=19 May 2021 |archive-date=19 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519054326/https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/38462 |url-status=live}} In 1789, the British colonised the Andaman islands to set up a naval base and establish a penal colony.{{cite book |title=Imperial Andamans: Colonial Encounter and Island History |first=A. |last=Vaidik |year=2010 |page=37 |isbn=978-0-230-27488-4 |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan}} In 1794, a first batch of 100 prisoners were sent to the island but the settlement was abandoned in 1796.

In 1858, the British established a colony near Port Blair.{{cite journal |url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/44137988 |author=MATHUR, L. P. |title=A Historical Study of Euro-Asian Interest in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands |year=1967 |journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress |volume=29 |page=60 |jstor=44137988 |access-date=19 May 2021 |archive-date=19 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519055108/https://www.jstor.org/stable/44137988 |url-status=live}} Between 1864 and 1868, Italy tried to buy the island from the Danish. On 16 October 1868, the Danish sold the rights to the Nicobar islands to the British, which was made part of the British India in 1869. In 1872, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands were united under a single command and administered by a chief commissioner based out of Port Blair. The construction of the Cellular Jail started in 1896 and was completed in 1906. The jail was used to house political prisoners and independence activists away from the Indian mainland.{{cite journal |url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/41856271 |author=Murthy, R.V.R. |title=Cellular Jail:a Century of Sacrifices |year=2006 |journal=The Indian Journal of Political Science |volume=67 |issue=4 |pages=879–888 |jstor=41856271 |access-date=3 June 2021 |archive-date=3 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603044817/https://www.jstor.org/stable/41856271 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/long_reads/cellular-jail-india-integral-country-fight-freedom-independence-british-colony-andaman-and-nicobar-islands-port-blair-sushil-dasguputa-a7883691.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111041305/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/long_reads/cellular-jail-india-integral-country-fight-freedom-independence-british-colony-andaman-and-nicobar-islands-port-blair-sushil-dasguputa-a7883691.html |archive-date=11 November 2020 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |title=How India's Cellular Jail was integral in the country's fight for freedom |date=14 August 2017 |work=The Independent}}

{{further|Japanese occupation of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands}}

File:The British Occupation of the Nicobar Islands, 1945 SE5438.jpg to Lt.Col. Nathu Singh, commander of the Rajput Regiment, in 1945]]

During the Second World War, the islands were invaded by the Japanese as a part of their attack on the allies in 1942. Port Blair was captured by the Japanese on 23 March 1942 and established control over the island.{{cite web |first=Klemen |last=L |url=https://warfare.gq/dutcheastindies/andaman.html |title=The capture of Andaman Islands, March 1942 |date=1999–2000 |work=Forgotten Campaign: The Dutch East Indies Campaign 1941–1942 |access-date=31 January 2024 |archive-date=26 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726181150/https://warfare.gq/dutcheastindies/andaman.html |url-status=dead}} The provisional control was passed on to the Azad Hind of Subhash Chandra Bose on 29 December 1943, based on the understanding with the Japanese with the islands renamed as Shaheed-Dweep (Martyr Island) and Swaraj-dweep (Self-rule Island).{{cite news |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/research/the-forgotten-story-of-the-japanese-ruling-over-a-part-of-india-8887379/ |title=The forgotten story of the Japanese ruling over (a part of) India |newspaper=Indian Express |access-date=1 December 2023}} Bose appointed General A. D. Loganathan as the governor of the islands, who had limited power while the real control of the islands remained with the Japanese. In the years under Japanese occupation, there have been reports of widespread looting, arson, rape and extra judicial killings.

Local people were often killed on trivial matters with the largest being the Homfreyganj massacre on 30 January 1944, where 44 local civilians were shot by the Japanese on suspicion of spying.{{cite book |title=Japanese in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands: Red Sun over black Water |first=Jayant |last=Dasgupta |pages=67, 87, 91–95 |isbn=978-8-170-49138-5 |year=2002 |publisher=Manas Publications}} Japanese Vice Admiral Teizo Hara and Major-General Tamenori Sato surrendered to Lieutenant Colonel Nathu Singh, the commanding officer of the Rajput Regiment on 15 August 1945, on board the Royal Navy ship HMS Rocksand and the territory was officially handed back over to the British to Brigadier J. A. Salomons, commander of 116th Indian Infantry Brigade, and Chief Administrator Noel Patterson, in a ceremony performed at the Gymkhana Ground in Port Blair on 7 October 1945.{{cite book |title=The Rise and Fall of Imperial Japan |first=Stephen |last=Wynn |year=2020 |isbn=978-1-473-86551-8 |publisher=Pen & Sword Books Limited |page=124}}

Approximately 2,000 people in the Andamans are thought to have died as a result of the occupation, and at least 501 were tortured by the Japanese. The former figure represents 10% of the pre-war population of Port Blair.Dasgupta Red Sun over Black Water pp. 101, 131, 133; Mathur Kala Pani pp. 254–55

During the Partition of India, the British announced their intention to retain possession of the islands and use them to resettle Anglo-Indians and Anglo-Burmese on these islands. The islands were claimed by the Indian National Congress for India and the Muslim League for Pakistan during the partition negotiations.{{cite book |title=Andaman and Nicobar Islands: A Geo-political and Strategic Perspective |first=R. V. R. |last=Murthy |year=2007 |isbn=978-8-172-11219-6 |publisher=Northern Book Centre |page=117 |quote=Muslim league pleaded with the British that Andaman and Nicobar should go to the proposed Pakistan}}{{cite news |url=https://thefridaytimes.com/09-Oct-2020/mr-jinnah-s-bid-for-the-andaman-islands |title=Jinnah's bid for Andaman Islands |date=9 October 2020 |access-date=12 March 2024 |work=Friday Times}} After the Indian Independence in 1947, the islands became part of the Dominion of India. As per the Constitution of India, the Islands were designated as the only part D territory in 1950, to be administered by a lieutenant governor appointed by the Government of India.{{cite act |title=Constitution of India |chapter=Parliament of India |year=1950 |url=https://cdnbbsr.s3waas.gov.in/s380537a945c7aaa788ccfcdf1b99b5d8f/uploads/2023/05/2023050195.pdf |publisher=Government of India |access-date=31 December 2023}} The islands were later used to resettle people displaced during the partition with a substantial number of displaced immigrants establishing agricultural colonies.{{cite news |title=Bengali settlers in the Andaman Islands: the performance of homeland |url=https://www.iias.asia/the-newsletter/article/bengali-settlers-andaman-islands-performance-homeland |access-date=29 October 2022 |work=IIAS Asia |archive-date=24 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624200953/https://www.iias.asia/the-newsletter/article/bengali-settlers-andaman-islands-performance-homeland |url-status=live}} The islands became a separate union territory administered by the Government of India, following the re-organization in 1956.{{cite book |title=Andaman and Nicobar Islands Development Report |series=State Development Report series |author=Planning Commission of India |edition=illustrated |publisher=Academic Foundation |year=2008 |isbn=978-81-7188-652-4 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ujf2N5O4iKgC |access-date=12 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151209011823/https://books.google.com/books?id=ujf2N5O4iKgC |archive-date=9 December 2015 |url-status=live}} The islands have been developed into a key defence establishment since the 1980 due to its strategic location in the Bay of Bengal across the Strait of Malacca.{{cite book |title=India's Defense Strategy and the India-ASEAN Relationship, RSIS Monograph No.28 |author=David Brewster |url=https://www.academia.edu/7716140 |access-date=24 August 2014 |archive-date=26 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326031701/https://www.academia.edu/7716140 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Sawhney |first1=Pravin |title=A watchtower on the high seas |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/comment/a-watchtower-on-the-high-seas/720929.html |newspaper=The Tribune |access-date=16 April 2019 |date=30 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416050217/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/comment/a-watchtower-on-the-high-seas/720929.html |archive-date=16 April 2019 |url-status=live}}

The first MPAs in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands were established in 1977. Those included small island sanctuaries such as Arial, Bamboo, Barren and several others, mainly to protect coral reef ecosystems and nesting sites for seabird species. To stimulate the protection of marine life, a significant milestone towards marine conservation came in 1983 with the establishment of the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park near Wandoor on South Andaman Island.{{cn|date=May 2025}}

On 26 December 2004, the coasts of the Andaman and Nicobar islands experienced {{cvt|10|m}} high tsunami waves following an undersea earthquake in the Indian Ocean which resulted in more than 2,000 casualties, 46,000 injuries and rendering at least 40,000 homeless.{{cite book |title=Sumatra-Andaman Islands Earthquake and Tsunami of December 6, 2004: Lifeline Performance |year=2007 |publisher=ASCE, Technical Council on Lifeline Earthquake Engineering |location=Reston, VA |isbn=9780784409510 |url=http://www.asce.org/Product.aspx?id=2147486137&productid=5511 |editor=Carl Strand and John Masek |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131024115815/http://www.asce.org/Product.aspx?id=2147486137&productid=5511 |archive-date=24 October 2013}} The locals and tourists on the islands suffered the greatest casualties while the indigenous people largely survived unscathed due to movement to high grounds following the oral traditions passed down over generations that warned them to evacuate following earthquakes.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4181855.stm |work=BBC News |title=Tsunami folklore 'saved islanders' |date=20 January 2005 |access-date=23 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090930002820/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4181855.stm |archive-date=30 September 2009 |url-status=live}}

File:Map of Nicobar and Andaman Islands-en.svg

The territory consists of 836 islands and islets occupying an area of {{cvt|8249|km2|0}}, of which only 31 are permanently inhabited.{{cite web |url=https://www.andaman.gov.in/about |title=UT Profile |publisher=Government of India |access-date=1 December 2023 |archive-date=1 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201173150/https://www.andaman.gov.in/about |url-status=dead }} The islands extend from 6° to 14° North latitudes and from 92° to 94° East longitudes.{{cite web |title=Brief Industrial Profile of Andaman and Nicobar Islands |url=http://dcmsme.gov.in/dips/a%20&%20n%20islands.pdf |publisher=Government of India Ministry of M.S.M.E |access-date=1 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106072349/http://dcmsme.gov.in/dips/A%20%26%20N%20Islands.pdf |archive-date=6 November 2015 |url-status=live}} The islands are grouped into the north Andaman islands and south Nicobar islands, separated by the {{cvt|150|km}} wide Ten Degree Channel. The Andamans cover an area of {{cvt|6408|km2|0}} while the Nicobar group covers an area of {{cvt|1841|km2|0}}. The highest point is the Saddle Peak at {{cvt|737|m}}, located in North Andaman Island.{{cite web |title=Saddle peak |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Saddle-Peak |access-date=1 December 2023 |publisher=Britannica}}

File:Barren Volcano, Barren Island, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India—Cropped.png, the only active volcano in India]]

The northernmost point of the islands is {{cvt|901|km}} away from the mouth of the Hooghly River in the Indian mainland. The territory shares maritime borders with Indonesia located about {{cvt|165|km}} to the south, Myanmar located {{cvt|280|km}} to the north-east and Thailand located {{cvt|650|km}} to the south-east.{{cite report |title=Maritime Boundaries of India - A Case Study |year=1990 |url=https://core.ac.uk/download/56693807.pdf |publisher=University of Rhode Island |access-date=1 December 2023}} Indira Point, the southernmost point of India, is located at 6°45'10″N and 93°49'36″E at the southern tip of Great Nicobar.{{cite web |url=https://www.dgll.nic.in/DGLL-light-house-location/about-portblair/indira-point-lighthouse |title=Indira Point |publisher=Government of India |access-date=1 December 2023}} The capital and largest city is Port Blair (officially Sri Vijaya Puram{{cite press release|title=Government has decided to rename the capital of Andaman & Nicobar Islands Port Blair as Sri Vijaya Puram|url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2054647|work=Press Information Bureau|access-date=13 September 2024|date=13 September 2024}}), located {{cvt|1190|km}} from Chennai and {{cvt|1255|km}} from Kolkata on the Indian mainland. Barren Island, the only active volcano in India, is located in the Andaman Sea.{{cite web |url=https://volcano.si.edu/volcano.cfm?vn=260010 |title=Barren Island |publisher=Smithsonian |access-date=1 December 2023}}{{cite web |url=https://www.incredibleindia.org/content/incredible-india-v2/en/destinations/andaman-and-nicobar/barren-island.html |title=Barren Island |publisher=Ministry of Tourism, Government of India |access-date=1 December 2023}}{{cite news |url=https://www.news18.com/news/buzz/did-you-know-india-has-an-active-volcano-its-located-in-andamans-barren-island-4413956.html |title=Did You Know India Has an Active Volcano? It's Located in Andaman's Barren Island |date=7 November 2021 |access-date=1 December 2023 |work=News18}}

The islands have a {{cvt|1962|km}} long coast-line. The topography of the territory varies significantly across various islands. The islands may have sandy, rocky sandstone or marshy beaches on the coastlines and might be surrounded by shoals and coral reefs. The altitude varies significantly from completely flat islands to gradually raising topography from the coast to the interior in larger islands. The islands are generally surrounded by shallow seas of varying depths in the vicinity with some deep natural bays occurring along certain coasts. The islands have a moderate temperature around the year with the average ranging from 23 °C to 31 °C.{{cite web |url=https://www.andamantourism.gov.in/about.php |title=About Andamans |publisher=Government of India |access-date=1 December 2023}} The islands have a tropical climate with warm summers and not so chill winters. The rainfall is dependent on the monsoons and tropical cyclones are common in late summer.

{{further|List of endemic birds of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands}}

File:Havelock_Island,_Canopy_of_tropical_moist_evergreen_forest,_Andaman_Islands.jpg in the interior of the islands]]

The islands have mangroves interspersed with marshes, coconut trees or dispersed bushy vegetation along the coast.{{cite report |title=Maricultural potential Andaman and Nicobar |url=http://eprints.cmfri.org.in/809/1/Bulletin_No_34.pdf |publisher=Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute |year=1983 |access-date=1 December 2023}} There are twelve types of forests that occur in the islands including evergreen, deciduous, mangrove, littoral, bamboo, sub-montane and brackish water forests.{{cite web |url=http://www.and.nic.in/andaman/flora.php |title=Flora and Fauna |publisher=Government of India |access-date=1 December 2023}} North Andaman is characterised by wet evergreen forests with climbing plants, Middle Andaman has moist deciduous forests and South Andaman islands have epiphytic vegetation, mostly ferns and orchids. The North Nicobar islands are mostly barren with grasslands while evergreen forests form the dominant vegetation in the central and southern islands of the Nicobar group. The forest coverage is estimated to be 86.2% of the total land area with about 2,200 varieties of plants of which 200 are endemic and 1,300 do not occur in mainland India. There are more than 200 species used for timber.

{{multiple image

|total_width=280

|image1=Elephant at Andaman and Nicobar Islands.jpg

|caption1=Indian elephants were introduced in the islands during the 19th century to move timber

|align=left

|image2=Nicobar Pigeon 820.jpg

|caption2=Nicobar pigeon, the closest living relative to the extinct Dodo

}}

There are more than 8300 species of fauna of which 1117 are endemic to the islands.{{cite report |url=https://faunaofindia.nic.in/PDFVolumes/spb/057/index.pdf |title=Endemic Fauna of Andaman and Nicobar Islands Bay of Bengal |publisher=Zoological Survey of India |access-date=1 December 2023 |year=2013}}{{cite book |last1=Rao |first1=Kailash Chandra |last2=Devi |first2=Kamala |year=2013 |title=Endemic Animals of Andaman and Nicobar Islands |isbn=978-81-8171-351-3}} Most of the larger species were introduced by colonists and travellers, some of which became endemic due to their prolonged isolation. There are about 55 mammal species of which 32 are endemic with 26 species of rats and 14 species of bats, the most among the mammals. The endangered Indian elephant can be found in forested or mountainous areas of the islands, which were originally introduced from the mainland to help with the timber extraction in 1883.{{cite web |title=The incredible life of India's iconic swimming elephant |url=https://qz.com/india/749169/the-incredible-life-of-indias-iconic-swimming-elephant/ |access-date=22 June 2020 |date=4 August 2016 |work=qz.com |first=Maria |last=Thomas |archive-date=22 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622170915/https://qz.com/india/749169/the-incredible-life-of-indias-iconic-swimming-elephant/ |url-status=live}} Endangered and critically endangered species endemic to the islands include the Andaman white-toothed shrew, Andaman spiny shrew, Jenkin's shrew, Nicobar spiny shrew, Nicobar tree shrew, Miller's Nicobar rat, Palm rat, Andaman teal, Nicobar scops owl, Andaman boobook and Darwin's eastern frog. Other large fauna include Wild boar, Spotted deer, Barking deer and Sambar deer. There are about 270 species of birds in the islands of which 90 are endemic. The islands' caves are nesting grounds for the Edible-nest swiftlet, whose nests are prized for bird's nest soup.{{cite report |first=R. |last=Sankaran |year=1999 |url=http://www.traffic.org/species-reports/traffic_species_birds8.pdf |title=The impact of nest collection on the Edible-nest Swiftlet in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands |access-date=4 July 2010 |publisher=Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History |location=Coimbatore}} The islands serve as an intermediate resting site for birds such as Horsfield's bronze cuckoo, Zappey's flycatcher and Javan pond heron during long distance migrations.{{cite news |last=Singh |first=Shiv Sahay |date=21 April 2019 |title=In a first, east Asian birds make Andaman stopover |newspaper=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/in-a-first-east-asian-birds-make-andaman-stopover/article26905336.ece |access-date=7 March 2021 |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=7 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107235922/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/in-a-first-east-asian-birds-make-andaman-stopover/article26905336.ece |url-status=live}} The Nicobar pigeon found in the islands is the closest living relative to the extinct Dodo.{{cite journal |doi=10.1126/science.295.5560.1683 |last1=Shapiro |first1=B. |last2=Sibthorpe |first2=D. |last3=Rambaut |first3=A. |last4=Austin |first4=J. |last5=Wragg |first5=G. M. |last6=Bininda-Emonds |first6=O. R. P. |last7=Lee |first7=P. L. M. |last8=Cooper |first8=A. |date=2002 |title=Flight of the Dodo |journal=Science |volume=295 |issue=5560 |pages=1683 |pmid=11872833 |url=http://pgl.soe.ucsc.edu/dodo_Shapiro02.pdf}}

File:Coral_reef_Elephant_Beach_,Andaman_03.jpgs around the Havelock island]]

There are about 64 species of reptiles of which half of them are endemic to the islands. More than 1350 species of echinoderms and molluscs and 200 species of corals are found in the seas surrounding the islands. Larger marine species include salt water crocodiles, dugongs, turtles, dolphins and whales. There are more than 1350 species of fishes including 13 fresh water species. The islands are well known for prized shellfish, the commercial exploitation of which began in the early 20th century. There are about nine national parks, 96 wildlife sanctuaries and one biosphere reserve in the islands.{{cite web |url=https://wiienvis.nic.in/Database/Andaman_Nicobar_Islands_7843.aspx |title=Andaman and Nicobar Islands |publisher=ENVIS, Government of India |access-date=1 December 2023}}{{cite report |url=https://www.andamantourism.gov.in/admin-pannel/docfile/46-biodiversity.pdf |title=Biodiversity of Andaman and Nicobar |publisher=Government of India |access-date=1 December 2023}} The territory is home for about 896 species of winged insects including 225 butterflies species.

{{Historical population|state=collapsed|source=Census of India{{cite report |url=https://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/PCA/A2_Data_Table.html |title=Decadal Variation In Population Since 1901 |website=Census of India : Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India |access-date=19 May 2021 |archive-date=10 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010234955/https://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/PCA/A2_Data_Table.html |url-status=live}}

|1901|24649

|1911|26459

|1921|27086

|1931|29463

|1941|33768

|1951|30971

|1961|63548

|1971|115133

|1981|188741

|1991|280661

|2001|356152

|2011|380581

|2019|434192{{efn|Projected}}

}}

As per the 2011 census, the population was 380,581, of which 202,871 (53.3%) were males and 177,710 (46.7%) were females. The sex ratio was 878 females per 1,000 males.{{cite report |title=Census of India |url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/data_files/ani/ani_press_release.pdf |access-date=13 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111113163050/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/data_files/ani/ani_press_release.pdf |archive-date=13 November 2011 |url-status=live}} There were a total of 94,551 households and about 143,488 (37.7%) of the population lived in urban areas. Hinduism (69.5%) is the major religion of people of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands followed by Christianity (21.7%) and Islam (8.5%).

{{bar box

|title=Religion in Andaman and Nicobar (2011){{cite report |title=Population by religion community – 2011 |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/11361/download/14474/DDW00C-01%20MDDS.XLS |publisher=Government of India |access-date=1 December 2023}}

|titlebar=#Fcd116

|left1=Religion

|right1=Percent

|float=right

|bars=

{{bar percent|Hinduism|darkorange|69.45}}

{{bar percent|Christianity|blue|21.28}}

{{bar percent|Islam|green|8.52}}

{{bar percent|Others|black|0.75}}

}}

The Andaman islands were populated by the indigenous people (the Great Andamanese, the Onge, the Jarawa and the Sentinelese) who were isolated and spoke Andamanese languages for thousands of years.{{cite web |url=https://www.and.nic.in/C_charter/Dir_tw/pri_tri.htm |title=Tribes of Andaman |publisher=Government of India |access-date=1 December 2023}} The Nicobar islands, which was part of trade routes and was frequented by travellers, were populated by Shompen people before the islands were settled by Nicobarese people, who spoke Austroasiatic languages. The islands include the North Sentinel Island, home to the Sentinelese people, among the only known uncontacted tribe in India.{{cite book |last=Pandit |first=T. N. |year=1990 |title=The Sentinelese |pages=17–20 |location=Kolkata |publisher=Seagull Books |isbn=978-81-7046-081-7}} When the islands were first colonised, the population of the natives were estimated to be around 5,000 and while the population of islands temporarily increased during colonisation, the population saw a massive spike post-1960s due to the policies of the Union Government that encouraged settlers from other parts of the country.{{cite news |last=Sekhsaria |first=Pankaj |title=How a statist vision of development has brought Andaman's tribals close to extinction |url=https://scroll.in/article/833293/how-a-statist-vision-of-development-has-brought-andamans-tribals-close-to-extinction |work=Scroll |date=3 April 2017 |access-date=21 November 2020 |archive-date=29 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129063143/https://scroll.in/article/833293/how-a-statist-vision-of-development-has-brought-andamans-tribals-close-to-extinction |url-status=live}} In the early 21st century, the population of indigenous people has drastically dropped. {{as of|2016}}, it was estimated to consist of 44 Great Andamanese, 380 Jarawas, 101 Onges, 15 Sentinelese and 229 Shompens.{{cite press release |url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=136700 |title=Tribals in A & N Islands |date=24 February 2016 |publisher=Government of India |access-date=1 December 2023}} The Government of India is trying to protect the remnant population by providing access to healthcare facilities, communication and social engagement.{{cite press release |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1774260 |title=Tribal Communities of Andaman and Nicobar celebrate Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav week of Tribal Affairs with fanfare in their inimitable style |date=23 November 2021 |publisher=Government of India |access-date=1 December 2023}}

{{bar box

|title=Distribution of languages in Andaman and Nicobar (2011)

|titlebar=#Fcd116

|left1=Language

|right1=Percent

|float=right

|bars=

{{bar percent|Bengali|red|28.49}}

{{bar percent|Tamil|#C46210|15.20}}

{{bar percent|Telugu|blue|13.24}}

{{bar percent|Hindi|darkorange|12.91}}

{{bar percent|Nicobarese|#F88379|7.60}}

{{bar percent|Malayalam|midnightblue|7.22}}

{{bar percent|Nagpuri|

1. FDEE00|5.53}}

{{bar percent|Kurukh|#D0FF14|3.96}}

{{bar percent|Others|grey|5.84}}

}}

The Andamanese people speak about a dozen endangered Andamanese languages, which belong to two families, Great Andamanese and Ongan that are unrelated to each other or to any other language group.{{cite journal |first=S |last=Manoharan |year=1983 |title=Subgrouping Andamanese group of languages |journal=International Journal of Dravidian Linguistics |volume=12 |pages=82–95}} There are two unattested languages: Sentinelese, spoken by Sentinelese people, who refuse contact with outsiders, which might be related to Ongan as per Anvita Abbi and Jangil, which became extinct in the 1920s.{{cite web |last=Abbi |first=Anvita |date=20 April 2020 |title=The Pandemic Also Threatens Endangered Languages |work=Scientific American |url=https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/voices/the-pandemic-also-threatens-endangered-languages/ |access-date=28 December 2023}}{{cite book |last=Webber |first=George |date=20 May 2013 |title=George Webber's Lonely Islands, Chapter 8: The Tribes |url=http://www.andaman.org/BOOK/chapter8/text8.htm#jangil |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130520161055/http://www.andaman.org/BOOK/chapter8/text8.htm#jangil |access-date=29 December 2023 |archive-date=20 May 2013}} Indigenous to the Nicobar Islands are the Shompen language, spoken by Shompen people and the five Nicobarese languages, which form part of the Austroasiatic language family and are spoken by about {{sigfig|28912|2}} people or 7.6% of the population.{{Cite book |last=Lal |first=Parmanand |year=1977 |title=Great Nicobar Island: study in human ecology |publisher=Anthropological Survey of India}}

The majority of the population, however, are speakers of immigrant languages which include Bengali (28.5%), Tamil (15.2%), Telugu (13.2%), Hindi (12.9%), Malayalam (7.2%). Sadri (5.5%), and Kurukh (4%).{{cite report |title=C-16: Population by mother tongue, India - 2011 |work=Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/10191 |access-date=7 November 2022 |archive-date=14 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221014173010/https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/10191 |url-status=live}} Hindi is the official language of the region, while English is declared an additional official language for communication purposes.{{cite report |url=http://164.100.166.181/annualreport/52ndReport_CLM_English.pdf |title=Report of the Commissioner for linguistic minorities: 52nd report (July 2014 to June 2015) |pages=49–53 |publisher=Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities, Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India |access-date=10 October 2023}}

The islands form a part of the union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and is administered by a Lieutenant Governor on behalf of the Government of India.{{cite web |url=https://www.india.gov.in/my-government/whos-who/lt-governors-administrators |title=Lt Governors and Administrators |publisher=Government of India |access-date=1 December 2023}} The union territory was established in 1956 with a chief commissioner as the head of the administration.{{cite act |url=https://interstatecouncil.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/states_reorganisation_act.pdf |title=States Reorganisation Act, 1956 |date=14 September 1953 |legislature=Parliament of India |access-date=1 December 2023}}{{Dead link|date=March 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} In 1982, the Lieutenant Governor replaced the Chief Commissioner as the head of administration.

In 1981, a "Pradesh council" with councillors as representatives of the people was constituted to advise the Lieutenant Governor.{{cite report |url=https://eparlib.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/10871/1/11_III_20121996_p178_p185_t324.pdf |title=Andaman and Nicobar Bill |publisher=Parliament of India |access-date=1 December 2023}} The territory sends one representative to Lok Sabha of the Indian Parliament from its Andaman and Nicobar Islands Lok Sabha constituency.{{cite report |url=https://www.mea.gov.in/Uploads/PublicationDocs/19167_State_wise_seats_in_Lok_Sabha_18-03-2009.pdf |title=State/UT wise Lok Sabha seats |publisher=Government of India |access-date=1 December 2023}} The territory is divided into three districts, each headed by a deputy commissioner.{{cite web |url=http://www.and.nic.in/gov/districtsgov.php |title=Districts of Andaman and Nicobar |publisher=Government of India |access-date=1 December 2023}} The Calcutta High Court has jurisdiction over the islands with a permanent seat at Port Blair.{{cite web |url=https://www.calcuttahighcourt.gov.in/ |title=About, Calcutta High Court |publisher=Calcutta High Court |access-date=1 December 2023}}

The indigenous communities have their own system of administration. There are long term settlements known as baraij and short-term settlements known as chang. The coast-dwellers (aryoto) have semi-permanent settlements and the interior groups (eremtaga) dwell on temporary settlements, which enable them to migrate during dry seasons.

{{As of|2022}}, the GSDP was {{INRConvert|103|b}}.{{cite report |url=https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/PublicationsView.aspx?id=22091 |title=GDP of states/UTs |publisher=Reserve Bank of India |access-date=1 December 2023}} Agriculture is a major occupation with nearly 50% of the population engaged in the sector. Only about {{convert|48675|ha}} of land, which is about 6% of the total land area, can be used for agriculture.{{cite report |url=https://aniidco.and.nic.in/announcement/PIM%20Andaman.pdf |title=Eco-tourism in Andaman & Nicobar Islands |publisher=Government of India |page=50 |access-date=1 December 2023}} Rice is the main food crop, grown in about 20% of the arable land.{{cite web |url=https://agri.and.nic.in/history1.htm |title=History of agriculture |publisher=Government of India |page=50 |access-date=1 December 2023}} Most of the food for consumption is imported from mainland India. Coconut and arecanut are the cash crops grown in the Nicobar islands. Other crops include pulses, oilseeds, vegetables like okra, brinjal, cucurbit and radish; spices and fruits such as mango, sapota, orange, banana, guava and pineapple.{{cite web |url=https://agri.and.nic.in/objective.htm |title=Objectives of Agriculture |publisher=Government of India |access-date=1 December 2023}} Rubber, red oil, palm and cashew are grown on a limited scale in plantations. The territory has an exclusive economic zone of more than 0.6 million sq. km, which contributes to the fishing industry. {{As of|2017}}, the region produced 27,526 tonnes of fish, mostly from marine sector with minor contribution from inland fisheries.

{{As of|2008}}, there were 1,833 registered small-scale industries with majority being involved in engineering, woodworking and textiles apart from 21 factories.{{cite report |url=http://andssw1.and.nic.in/ecostat/stats/Economic%20survey%20ANI/CHAPTER%20-%208.pdf |title=Economic survey |publisher=Government of India |access-date=1 December 2023}} District Industries Centre (DIC) is the body responsible for the development of small and medium industries in the islands. Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation Limited (ANIIDCO), established in 1988, is responsible for the development and economic growth of the islands.

{{further|Tourism in Andaman and Nicobar Islands}}

File:Andaman_ross_is.jpg in 2004]]

Tourism is one of the major contributors to the economy of the islands. The islands had more than 400,000 visitors in 2016 with a 94% contribution from domestic tourists. In 2018, plans to develop facilities in various islands under the National Institute of Transforming India (NITI) Aayog was initiated by Government of India, with the aim of increasing tourist inflows.{{cite report |title=Holistic Development of Islands |url=http://niti.gov.in/content/holistic-development-islands-islanders-benefits |website=Niti Aayog |access-date=4 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204200629/http://niti.gov.in/content/holistic-development-islands-islanders-benefits |archive-date=4 December 2018 |url-status=live}} Foreign tourists are issued Restricted Area Permits (RAP) which gives access to specific areas with conditions.{{cite report |url=https://www.mha.gov.in/PDF_Other/AnnexVII_01022018.pdf |title=Protected and Restricted Areas |publisher=Government of India |access-date=1 December 2023}} While domestic tourists do not require a permit to visit the accessible parts of the islands, the tribal reserves are forbidden and requires special permission for access.{{cite web |title=For Foreigners |url=https://www.andaman.gov.in/tourism/Foreigners |publisher=Government of India |access-date=1 December 2023 |archive-date=3 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203050254/https://www.andaman.gov.in/tourism/Foreigners |url-status=dead }} The islands have many beaches due to its long coastline and various water sports are practised including kayaking, scuba diving and parasailing.{{cite web |url=https://www.andamantourism.gov.in/watersports.php |title=Water sports |publisher=Government of India |access-date=1 December 2023}}

Major attractions include the Cellular Jail, Chatham Saw Mill, Forest Museum, Samudrika Naval Marine Museum, Anthropological Museum, Fisheries Aquarium, Science Center and Carbyn's cove in Port Blair; Bharatpur, Lakshmanpur and Sitapur beaches in Shaheed Dweep; Elephant and Radhanagar beaches in Swaraj Dweep; Hudi tikri, Red, Bird and Bat islands, Amkunj beach near Rangat; Dhaninallah mangroves and Karmatang beach near Mayabunder; limestone caves and mud volcanoes near Diglipur; Craggy island and Ross & Smith islands and various national parks and protected sanctuaries.{{cite web |url=https://www.andamantourism.gov.in/tour_package.php |title=Andaman tour |publisher=Government of India |access-date=1 December 2023}}

File:Veer Savarkar International Airport – New Terminal.jpg is the only major airport in the islands]]

The islands are served by Veer Savarkar International Airport near Port Blair which has regular flights to major cities in India.{{cite report |url=https://www.dgca.gov.in/digigov-portal/?page=jsp/dgca/InventoryList/aerodrome/public/PUBLIC%20USE%20LICENSED%20AERODROME%20(PUBLIC%20AND%20PRIVATE)%20AND%20HELIPORT%20-converted%20(1).pdf |title=List of Aerodromes Licensed in Public Use Category |publisher=Directorate General of Civil Aviation of India |access-date=11 October 2023}} The airport operates as a civil enclave, sharing airside facilities with INS Utkrosh of the Indian Navy.{{cite press release |title=New Terminal Building at Port Blair Airport by March 2018 |url=https://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=98538 |publisher=Press Information Bureau |date=22 August 2013 |access-date=6 January 2014}} The airport has a single runway of {{cvt|3290|m|ft|sigfig=5}} in length, with the civilian terminal operated by the Airports Authority of India with air traffic operations managed by the Indian Navy.{{cite news |url=http://www.sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2011/oct16-11/h5.htm |title=Andaman & Nicobar Command: Saga of Synergy |work=Sainik Samachar |access-date=9 January 2012}} Andaman and Nicobar Command of Indian Armed Forces operates air bases of Car Nicobar AFS, INS Kohassa, INS Utkrosh and INS Baaz.{{cite press release |url=https://pib.gov.in/pressreleaseshare.aspx?prid=1560445 |title=Headquarters Andaman Nicobar Command ANC to enhance its operational capability with the upcoming commissioning of INS Kohassa |date=18 January 2019 |access-date=1 December 2023 |publisher=Government of India}}

There are 23 ports along the islands with a major port at Port Blair and eight other significant ports including Diglipur, Mayabunder, Rangat, Hut Bay, Car Nicobar, Katchal and Campbell Bay.{{cite web |url=http://andssw1.and.nic.in/pmb/history.html |title=History of Ports |publisher=Port Management Board, Government of India |access-date=1 December 2023}}{{cite news |title=India plans Rs 10,000 cr transshipment port at Great Nicobar Island: PM |url=https://hr.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/india-plans-rs-10000-cr-transshipment-port-at-great-nicobar-island-pm/77466638 |access-date=10 August 2020 |newspaper=The Economic Times |archive-date=19 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919070235/https://hr.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/india-plans-rs-10000-cr-transshipment-port-at-great-nicobar-island-pm/77466638 |url-status=live}} In 2022, the Government of India proposed the development of a new container ship terminal and an airport at Great Nicobar.{{cite news |date=22 November 2022 |title=Development of Great Nicobar: strategic imperative and ecological concerns |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/great-nicobar-development-project-proposal-concerns-8281844/ |access-date=29 November 2022 |newspaper=The Indian Express |archive-date=26 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126090805/https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/great-nicobar-development-project-proposal-concerns-8281844/ |url-status=live}} There are 39 light houses situated across the islands.{{cite web |url=https://dgll.nic.in/DGLL-light-house-location/portblair |title=Light houses |access-date=1 December 2023 |publisher=Government of India}}

{{As of|2018}}, there are {{cvt|422|km}} long national highways in the state with the major highway being the {{cvt|230.7|km}} long NH 4 connecting Port Blair and Diglipur.{{cite report |url=https://morth.nic.in/sites/default/files/State_wise_Length_of_National_Highways_in_India.pdf |title=State-wise length of National Highways in India |date=30 November 2018 |publisher=Ministry of Road Transport and Highways |access-date=9 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929205249/https://morth.nic.in/sites/default/files/State_wise_Length_of_National_Highways_in_India.pdf |archive-date=29 September 2020}}{{cite report |url=https://morth.nic.in/sites/default/files/PragatiKiNayiGati/pdf/andaman.pdf |title=Andaman, Road development |access-date=1 December 2023 |publisher=Government of India}}

There is no single power grid connecting all the islands and independent power houses caters to the power requirements of individual islands.{{cite web |title=Electricity in Andaman |url=https://vidyut.andaman.gov.in/ |access-date=1 December 2023 |publisher=Government of India}} The islands have an installed power capacity of 68.46 MW with majority of the power generated from diesel power plants and a single hydroelectric powerplant of 5.25 MW on Kalpong river.{{cite web |title=Electricity department of Andaman |url=https://vidyut.andaman.gov.in/Forms/AboutUs.aspx |access-date=1 December 2023 |publisher=Government of India}} In 2016, a new 15 MW diesel power plant was established in South Andaman with Japanese assistance.{{cite news |date=13 March 2016 |title=India collaborates with Japan on Andamans project |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/india-collaborates-with-japan-on-andamans-project/article8347298.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316150103/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/india-collaborates-with-japan-on-andamans-project/article8347298.ece |archive-date=16 March 2016 |access-date=14 June 2016 |newspaper=The Hindu |issn=0971-751X}}{{cite web |title=These 8 narrow choke-points are critical to the world's oil trade |url=http://www.businessinsider.in/These-8-narrow-chokepoints-are-critical-to-the-worlds-oil-trade/articleshow/46775193.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629151009/http://www.businessinsider.in/These-8-narrow-chokepoints-are-critical-to-the-worlds-oil-trade/articleshow/46775193.cms |archive-date=29 June 2016 |access-date=14 June 2016 |newspaper=Business Insider}} Commissioned in June 2020, a 10 MW photovoltaic power station is operated by NLC India in Port Blair.{{cite news|last=Kala|first=Rishi Ranjan|date=18 June 2024|title=The solar way of providing power to eco-sensitive zones|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/the-solar-way-of-providing-power-to-eco-sensitive-zones/article68304964.ece|newspaper=Business Line|access-date=30 October 2024}}{{cite web|date=23 February 2022|title=Power plant profile: NLC Dolly Gunj Solar PV Park, India|url=https://www.power-technology.com/marketdata/power-plant-profile-nlc-dolly-gunj-solar-pv-park-india/|work=Power Technology|access-date=30 October 2024}} In 2022, the government proposed additional power plants and infrastructure to be developed in Great Nicobar.{{cite news |last=Ramakrishna |first=Ishika |date=20 October 2022 |title=Massive infrastructure project threatens Great Nicobar Island |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/environment/massive-infrastructure-project-proposed-by-central-government-threatens-great-nicobar-island/article65991977.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129133005/https://frontline.thehindu.com/environment/massive-infrastructure-project-proposed-by-central-government-threatens-great-nicobar-island/article65991977.ece |archive-date=29 November 2022 |access-date=29 November 2022 |newspaper=The Hindu}}

4G mobile service is provided by various telecom operators in the islands.{{cite news |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/airtel-first-mobile-operator-launch-services-andaman-nicobar-6551752/ |title=Airtel becomes the first mobile operator to launch 4G services in Andaman and Nicobar |date=12 August 2020 |newspaper=The Indian Express |access-date=1 December 2023}} Till 2020, Internet was provided through satellite links and access was limited. Bharat Broadband Network started work on laying fiber optic submarine cables connecting the islands with Chennai in December 2018.{{cite news |date=10 August 2020 |title=PM Modi inaugurates 2,312-kilometre undersea optical fiber cable link between Andaman-Chennai |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/narendra-modi-chennai-andaman-nicobar-islands-submarine-optical-fibre-project-6548424/ |access-date=10 August 2020 |newspaper=The Indian Express |archive-date=19 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919202032/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/narendra-modi-chennai-andaman-nicobar-islands-submarine-optical-fibre-project-6548424/ |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/its-2018-but-still-tough-to-get-online-in-the-andamans/article22785543.ece |title=It's 2018, but still tough to get online in the Andamans |last=Sridhar |first=Lalitha |date=17 February 2018 |newspaper=The Hindu |access-date=8 November 2018 |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=4 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200504042913/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/its-2018-but-still-tough-to-get-online-in-the-andamans/article22785543.ece |url-status=live}} On 10 August 2020, the undersea optical fibre cable went live, which enabled high-speed broadband connections in the islands.{{cite news |title=Andaman and Nicobar islands' fast-speed internet will depend on a 2,300 kilometer-long fiber optic cable |url=https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/pm-modi-andaman-and-nicobar-islands-fast-speed-internet-will-depend-on-a-2300-kilometer-long-fiber-optic-cable/articleshow/77460772.cms |access-date=11 August 2020 |work=Business Insider |archive-date=16 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416115653/https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/pm-modi-andaman-and-nicobar-islands-fast-speed-internet-will-depend-on-a-2300-kilometer-long-fiber-optic-cable/articleshow/77460772.cms |url-status=live}}{{cite news |date=26 June 2018 |title=BSNL to enhance bandwidth 400 times in Andaman and Nicobar island in 2 years |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/bsnl-to-enhance-bandwidth-400-times-in-andaman-and-nicobar-island-in-2-years/1221457/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181108184401/https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/bsnl-to-enhance-bandwidth-400-times-in-andaman-and-nicobar-island-in-2-years/1221457/ |archive-date=8 November 2018 |access-date=8 November 2018 |newspaper=Financial Express}}{{cite news |date=10 August 2020 |title=PM Modi inaugurates Chennai-Andaman & Nicobar submarine optical cable project |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/pm-modi-inaugurates-chennai-andaman-nicobar-submarine-optical-cable-project/articleshow/77456251.cms |access-date=10 August 2020 |newspaper=The Times of India |archive-date=11 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811064333/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/pm-modi-inaugurates-chennai-andaman-nicobar-submarine-optical-cable-project/articleshow/77456251.cms |url-status=live}}

The first primary school in the islands was established in 1881. During Independence, 12 schools were functioning on the islands including one high school. {{As of|2023}}, there are 428 schools functioning in the islands with a total enrolment of 86,081 students.{{cite web |url=https://education.andaman.gov.in/History.aspx |title=History of education |publisher=Government of India |access-date=1 December 2023}} Jawaharlal Nehru Rajkeeya Mahavidyalaya was the first institute of higher education, established in 1967.{{cite web |url=https://jnrm.and.nic.in/About/about.htm |title=About us |publisher=Jawaharlal Nehru Rajkeeya Mahavidyalaya |access-date=1 December 2023}} Mahatma Gandhi Government College was established in 1990 and is affiliated to Pondicherry University.{{cite web |url=https://www.and.nic.in/mggc/vision.html |title=About us |publisher=Mahatma Gandhi Government College |access-date=1 December 2023}} Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Government Polytechnic was established in 1984 and the affiliated engineering college, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Institute of Technology was established in 1989.{{cite web |url=https://dbrait.andaman.gov.in/#no-back-button |title=About us |publisher=Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Institute of Technology |access-date=1 December 2023}} Andaman Law College is the only law college in the state, established in 2016.{{cite report |url=https://collegeadmission.andaman.gov.in/images/law.pdf |title=About us |publisher=Andaman Law college |access-date=1 December 2023}} The Andaman and Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences was established in 1963.{{cite web |url=http://andssw1.and.nic.in/aniims/pages/AboutUS.html |title=About us |publisher=Andaman and Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences |access-date=1 December 2023}}

• Arthur Conan Doyle refers to the Andaman islands in the Sherlock Holmes novel The Sign of the Four.{{cite news |title=The 'wild' people as tourist stops |last=Hill |first=David |newspaper=The Hindu |date=31 March 2012 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-wild-people-as-tourist-stops/article3263326.ece |access-date=12 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131225080305/http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-wild-people-as-tourist-stops/article3263326.ece |archive-date=25 December 2013 |url-status=live}}
• Bengali author Sunil Gangopadhyay based the events of one his Kakababu series of adventure thriller novels, Sabuj Dwiper Raja (1976), on the islands. In 1979, it was made into a film of the same name, shot extensively on the islands.{{cite book |last1=Adese |first1=Jennifer |last2=Innes |first2=Robert Alexander |title=Indigenous Celebrity: Entanglements with Fame |date=9 April 2021 |publisher=University of Manitoba Press |isbn=978-0-88755-922-8 |page=185 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BBYjEAAAQBAJ&dq=Sabuj+Dwiper+Raja+andaman+and+nicobar+islands&pg=PA185 |access-date=4 April 2023 |archive-date=7 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407071442/https://books.google.com/books?id=BBYjEAAAQBAJ&dq=Sabuj+Dwiper+Raja+andaman+and+nicobar+islands&pg=PA185 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Mortuza |first1=Shamsad |title=On Black Water and the Bengali Fear of Seafaring |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/in-focus/news/black-water-and-the-bengali-fear-seafaring-1690288 |access-date=4 April 2023 |work=The Daily Star |date=21 January 2019 |language=en |archive-date=4 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404133216/https://www.thedailystar.net/in-focus/news/black-water-and-the-bengali-fear-seafaring-1690288 |url-status=live}}
• The National Award-winning Malayalam film Kaalapani was set against the backdrop of Port Blair's Cellular Jail and was extensively shot in the islands.{{Cite news |title=Kalapani movie, 25 years |url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/movies/features/2020/04/09/kalapani-movie-24-years-special-article.html |access-date=21 November 2020 |work=ManoramaOnline |date=9 April 2020 |language=ml |archive-date=21 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121074220/https://www.manoramaonline.com/movies/features/2020/04/09/kalapani-movie-24-years-special-article.html |url-status=live}}
• The Netflix Original Series Kaala Paani is based on a fictional illness that spreads in the islands.{{cite news |last1=Khurana |first1=Ankur |title=Kaala Paani Season 1 Review : A well-acted and intriguing survival drama |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/web-series/reviews/hindi/kaala-paani/season-1/seasonreview/104490160.cms |access-date=27 October 2023 |newspaper=The Times of India |date=18 October 2023}}

{{Portal|Geography|Islands|Asia|India}}

• Coral reefs in India
• List of islands of India

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

{{Commons}}

{{Wikivoyage}}

{{Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands}}

{{States and Union Territories of India}}

{{GeoSouthAsia}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1956 establishments in India

Category:Andaman Sea

Category:Dependent territories in Asia

01

Category:Islands of the Andaman Sea

Category:Islands of the Bay of Bengal

Category:States and territories established in 1956

Category:States and union territories of India

Category:Union territories of India

Category:Volcanic arc islands